Credit, collections & insolvency news

Small businesses across the UK are still chasing £14.9 billion in late payments resulting from goods and services they have provided, according to new research by Liberis.

The study claimed that on average respondents were owed £11,000, which extrapolated to £14.9 billion across the UK’s 5.7 million small firms. The survey found that the amount small businesses in the UK are owed has increased by almost £1 billion in six months, preventing firms from growing to their full potential.

The research polled over 400 SMEs n March, found that 58 per cent of small firms are currently owed up to £10,000 with 27 per cent owed more than £20,000.
In addition, 50 per cent of respondents claimed that aged debt has hindered investment in their own business, while 72 per cent said they spent three days a month chasing money they were owed.

Rob Straathof, Chief Executive of Liberis said “The Government continually stresses the importance of small businesses to the nation’s economy. But with mounting debts owed by their clients and customers, some SMEs are at breaking point.”